Getting Started
The world of model railways has given pleasure to countless generations of adults and children alike. If you have ever wanted to know how to create a model railway, but not known how to go about it, then these pages will be a really helpful guide for you on how to get started in this wonderful hobby.
What Size Suits me?
With Bachmann models available in a variety of sizes it is important to know which will best suit your needs. The first question that you need to ask is 'what size (in model terms 'scale') suits me and my surroundings?' Look at the available area that you have to lay out a train set and what you would like it to do.
If you have a small area, smaller scales such as our Branchline and Graham Farish products are ideal; for larger spaces and gardens, the larger scales tend to be appropriate as they have greater impact in more open environments.
Scales are always shown as a ratio, for example 1:20 scale means that one metre on the real item is represented by 5 cm on a model. To help you, we have listed the most common scales of model railways products from the smallest to the largest.
N Scale - the most common of the smaller scales and the smallest size that the majority of people can easily handle. Models in this scale are produced at a scale of 1:160 and run on 9mm wide track. Our Graham Farish and Bachmann N scale models are ideal for those where space is at a premium in their homes.
HOe Scale - largely used for continental European & North American narrow gauge railways, the models are produced at a scale of 1:87 and run on 9mm wide track. HOe scale layouts tend to be of industrial scenes from the last century and the Liliput HOe narrow gauge range show some of these locomotives and rolling stock from around the world.
HO Scale - The predominant scale used in many world countries (but not the UK) and utilised to depict a large variety of scenes from around the railway world. West to the North American continent and our Bachmann USA HO range, through Russia and India to the extensive railways of Bachmann China and Japan in the east, north to the great European railways represented by Liliput HO and south to the vast lines of Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South America, we have an extensive range of models available. HO models are produced at a scale of 1:87 and run on 16.5mm wide track with layouts of any era, from the earliest days of the railways to the present.
OO Scale - The most popular scale in use in the UK, this is the scale that most modellers use to depict scenes from the UK's very long and diverse railway history. The models are produced at a scale of 1:76 and run on 16.5mm wide track. Our Branchline OO scale models can be found in the vast majority of model retailers in the UK.
ON30 scale - Larger cousins of the narrow gauge HOe models and produced at a scale of 1:45 to run on 16.5mm wide track. Popular themes for layouts include the smaller gauge railways that were a large part of the transport infrastructure of nations in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century's as shown in our Bachmann USA Spectrum range.
O Scale - The largest of the scales for general indoor use, these highly detailed models are produced at a scale of 1:45 and run on 32mm wide track. Brassworks O and Bachmann USA O range are used by skilled amateur/professional modellers to create exhibition standard layouts that have wowed viewers over the decades for their amazing displays.
Gauge 1 - A specialised scale where it is possible to practically manufacture complete replicas of locomotives in miniature. This is where model railways start to merge into the world of miniature engineering, with both steam and modern era items that are exact copies of their larger cousins. The models are produced at a scale of 1:32, run on 45mm wide track and can be seen in the Brassworks Gauge 1 range.
G Scale - For models that are produced at a minimum scale of 1:32 (the Aristocraft range for example is 1:29 scale and Bachmann G scale is 1:29.3) and run on 45mm wide track. For those that have the space and the desire to see their own line running outdoors like the real thing, this is a great way of modelling throughout the year.
The most important thing is that you decide what you want your model railway to do!
Your first train set
Purchasing a train set is the best way to start in model railways. A typical set will contain a locomotive, rolling stock (coaches or wagons), track and a controller. All you then need is a little bit of space and your imagination to get things moving.
Branchline OO scale starter sets - provide something for everyone, whether they are a child receiving their first set, or someone later in life wishing to re-start a hobby. Our digital sets can have additional realistic features such as working lights & sound. With a large variety of locomotives and rolling stock available OO Scale is a great way to start in the wonderful world of model railways.
Graham Farish N scale sets are brilliant for the smaller household. They have the same level of detail as their larger OO cousins but take up half as much room. An N scale set could easily be stored under a child's bed, and both OO and N scales sets easily provide the hours of pleasure that come from owning your first train set.
Set the Scene
As your use of your train sets and experience of it grows, you will want to expand your set. Turning a set into a layout is a creative pleasure for both children and adults alike. A set can be expanded into a layout by permanently mounting the track on a baseboard and then adding additional track, rolling stock, scenic materials and accessories that you require. Then your train can go on a journey - through wonderful countryside, in and out of tunnels, finally delivering goods to industry or passengers to a railway station
Our Scenecraft range of lifelike products includes a large range of buildings, figures and vehicles suitable for any layout in both OO and N Gauge. Woodland Scenics are the world leader in scenery products and allow you to add real life natural features to any layout including bushes, grass, rocks, trees, water and even snow. We have everything needed for you to complete a layout, making it very easy for you to set the scene that you would like.
A Moment in Time
Choosing what period in time, or era, you want your layout to be in can enhance its detail even further. Some chose the modern locomotives and rolling stock, others the nostalgic days of steam; it may be a heritage railway they have recently visited or something they worked on many years ago!
All of the Branchline & Graham Farish Models on our website feature an era symbol. This symbol represents the years in which a locomotive or item of rolling stock was operating on the railway network. This simple guide helps those who want to include further detail into their layouts by combining all elements to create a moment in time.
Take Control
Once you have a layout, just like real life you will want several items to be working at the same time. E-Z Command Dynamis is designed to run multiple trains simultaneously and is easy to use, with multiple functions that allow you to operate digital locomotives that have lighting & sound effects.
With a range of accessories, Dynamis allows you to operate your layout how you want to, even allowing you to share it with friends. Dynamis wireless technology puts the pleasure of running a model railway back into your hands and allows you to take control.
Join a club
While you are constructing your layout, you may want to ask people for help or advice or find ideas for a suitable scene. Bachmann Europe Plc has a long association with the model railway community and we can give you some general hints to point you in the right directions. For advice on what products you might require for your layout, contact either your local retailer or contact our dedicated collectors club .
If you are looking for inspiration or layout construction tips, model railway shows are great places to obtain advice from experienced modellers, who will gladly give practical advice and assistance to those who are new to the hobby. There are numerous shows advertised in the press, and for details of forthcoming supported shows please go to club events page .
Another source of help and assistance for you will be your local model railway club. These clubs usually have layouts at various stages of construction across different scales, and members work together to produce layouts worthy of exhibiting at the numerous shows. Club members meet together and visit shows to broaden their minds, expand their horizons and make new friends. Details of local clubs close to you can be found on the Clubs pages or you could join our own dedicated collectors club. Go on, join a club, you never know where it will take you!